We have a long history with dogs. Between 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, humans domesticated dogs, forming a symbiotic relationship that has played an important role in both species’ evolution.

1. BETTERPEOPLE
6 REASONS WHY DOGS MAKE US
R Y A N C R O M A N

2. We have a long history with dogs. Between 20,000 to 40,000 years ago,
humans domesticated dogs, forming a symbiotic relationship that has
played an important role in both species’ evolution.
While dogs originally served as protectors and helped with hunting (which
they still do today), their age-old relationship has become much deeper.
As the saying goes now, a dog is man’s best friend.

3. Most folks today have dogs because it’s a way to make their lives
more fun. Yet having a dog brings even more benefits than all the
laughs that come with watching them chase their tails, getting your
face licked, and scratching their belly. Dogs actually make us better
people.
Since May is National Pet Month, I thought it would be a great idea
to write about this topic: how dogs help us. So, let’s explore why
dogs enable us to become better individuals.

4. HAVINGADOGIMPROVES
PATIENCE
E v e r y p e r s o n w h o h a s a d o g h a s h a d t o d e a l w i t h p o o p o n t h e f l o o r o r
s o m e t h i n g g e t t i n g t o r n u p ( n o t m y n e w s o c k s ! ) . W h a t t h i s b u i l d s i n y o u i s
p a t i e n c e .
W i t h a d o g , y o u l e a r n h o w t o d e a l w i t h u n i d e a l s i t u a t i o n s a n d f i g u r e o u t
w a y s t o t r a i n a n d i m p r o v e t h e d o g ’ s b e h a v i o r . N o w o n d e r 5 4 % o f d o g p a r e n t s
s a y t h e i r p u p h a s m a d e t h e m m o r e p a t i e n t , a c c o r d i n g t o a B a r k B o x s t u d y .

5. HAVINGA
DOGMAKES
USHAPPY
That same BarkBox study found that 71% of dog parents say their pup has made
them happier. There’s a variety of reasons that dogs enhance our happiness.
They offer unconditional love and are always there for us. They encourage us to
exercise and get outside in nature, keeping us physically healthy and keeping our
endorphins and Vitamin D up (which keeps us mentally healthy). Dogs also teach
us how to live in the moment, as their excitement over a butterfly in the park or
playing fetch encourages us to forget all else and just have a good time.
The interesting thing is that Harvard researchers have discovered that happiness
is actually contagious. So, the happiness our dogs bring us will actually spread to
the friends and family around us. That’s a powerful thing.

6. HAVINGADOG
MAKESUSMORE
RESPONSIBLE
W e a r e c a r i n g f o r a n o t h e r l i v i n g
t h i n g . T h i s c o m e s w i t h t h e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o e n s u r e i t s
p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l w e l l b e i n g . I f
t h a t m e a n s g e t t i n g u p a t 4 a . m . t o
t a k e t h e p u p o u t s i d e t o p e e , y o u
g e t u p a n d d o i t .
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e B a r k B o x s t u d y ,
5 2 % o f d o g p a r e n t s b e l i e v e
t h e y ’ v e b e c o m e m o r e r e s p o n s i b l e
s i n c e g e t t i n g a d o g . I b e l i e v e I
h a v e a s w e l l .

7. HAVINGADOGMAKESUS
MOREAFFECTIONATE
The BarkBox survey discovered that about 47% of dog parents
feel they’ve learned more about affection from their dog. This
isn’t surprising, considering that dogs will cuddle with you
when you’re feeling down or jump and play with you when
you’re feeling good.
Being more affectionate can lead to stronger relationships
with friends and family. This is because you’ll be more in tune
with your emotions and understand more about how to be a
caring individual.

8. HAVINGADOGMAKES
YOUABETTER
COMMUNICATOR
M u c h o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n i s n o n v e r b a l , r e s e a r c h h a s s h o w n . A s f a r
a s I k n o w , t h e r e a r e n ’ t a n y d o g s t h a t c a n t a l k , t h o u g h t h e y c a n
u n d e r s t a n d m a n y w o r d s . W h a t t h i s m e a n s i s t h a t w e m u s t u s e
o t h e r w a y s t o c o m m u n i c a t e , s u c h a s t o n e o f v o i c e a n d n o n - v e r b a l
s i g n a l s l i k e t o u c h i n g a n d g e s t u r i n g .
Having to do this with our dogs encourages us to be more focused on our body
language and tone of voice in interactions with others. This is why dogs can
make us better at communication overall.

9. GIVINGCREDIT
TOOURDOGS
D o g s a r e t r u l y e x t r a o r d i n a r y c r e a t u r e s .
A f t e r a l l , t h e y h a v e t h e p o t e n t i a l t o
e n h a n c e o u r h a p p i n e s s a n d h e a l t h — a n d
m a k e u s b e t t e r p e o p l e . R e m e m b e r : i t ’ s
N a t i o n a l P e t M o n t h . I f y o u ’ r e a d o g l o v e r
l i k e m e , t a k e t i m e t o t h a n k y o u r d o g f o r a l l
t h a t t h e y ’ v e d o n e f o r y o u . P e r h a p s t h a t
c o u l d m e a n d o g t r e a t s o r a s p e c i a l t r i p t o
a n a t u r e p r e s e r v e . W h a t e v e r y o u d o , m a k e
s u r e y o u r p u p h a s a b l a s t . B e c a u s e t h e y
d e s e r v e i t .

10. THANKYOU!WWW.RYANCROMAN.COM